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How we help you advance

How we help you advance

MCEI has several support schemes that can help you and your business grow - no matter whether you are a student, alumnus/alumna of the University of Mannheim or not. Depending on your goals and objectives, we will help you accelerate your venture from scratch to growth stage with a variety of support schemes. MCEI has a strong focus on business model development and we embrace a strong passion for growth ambitions. All our support schemes share two characteristics: They are built on a "paying it forward" culture and are free of charge. Thus, we neither charge you nor will we demand any equity. The "paying it forward" culture, however, is a culture of give and take that we believe to be a strong basis for a rapidly advancing Startup Ecosystem like the Rhine Neckar Metropolitan Region. Next to what we offer, we act as a network broker and will give you access to MCEI partners who will help you advance. The following examples illustrate how our support schemes work.

0) You want to get to know the startup spirit at the University of Mannheim and its surrounding Startup Ecosystem?

1) You want to start your own business and want to put your business ideas into practice? 

Students of the University of Mannheim

We offer a varierty of courses at Bachelor and Master level guiding you through the entrepreneurial process. Our approach is for you to work on your own project - not on showcases. We will judge you according to individual milestones and support your development with coaching. At Bachelor level, if you are at pre-idea stage or have a very early stage idea, you can choose MAN 450 Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Model Design. With a more advanced idea, you can apply for MAN 453 Thinking Beyond Boxes - Advance your own Startup!. Both programs are electives and thus offered in spring term only. MAN 453 applicants that cannot wait till spring can apply for the our MAN 633 course at Master level in fall and may be granted a spot by exception. At Master level, students at pre-idea stage or in a very early idea stage opt for MAN 631 Creativity and Entrepreneurship in Practice in fall, while students with advanced projects apply for MAN 633 Entrepreneurial Spirit (offered each semester). Of course, you can also arrange a phone call or a personal meeting (usually grabbing a coffee or lunch) with us to discuss your projects and needs. You might also consider taking part in our MCEI Sparring Partner program

Not a student of the University of Mannheim or alumni

After you have ideally screened all the information on our MCEI pages and have had a look at what we can do for you, you can arrange a personal consultation with us. We will either arrange a phone call or a personal meeting (usually grabbing a coffee or lunch) with you. We will then sort things out and conduct a need analysis. As a next step, we will find the support mechanism that suits you best (e.g. following one of our accelerator course formats as a guest, recommendations of startup camps and other offerings) and introduce you to MCEI partners that will support you with dedicated consulting (free of charge), legal advice or other measures. Have a look at our MCEI Partner category for more information. 

2) You have already started your business but need help in developing your business model?

or

3) You want to advance your business and business model towards product-market-fit, traction or scaling? 

Perfect! There are various options:

  • Join us - our courses MAN 453 Thinking Beyond Boxes - Advance your own Startup! (Bachelor level, spring elective) and MAN 633 Entrepreneurial Spirit (Master level, offered each semester) will help you grow. Of course, you can also arrange a personal consultation with us. Not a student at the University of Mannheim? We have few guest spots - with a priority for migrant entrepreneurs. 
  • Students can apply for the MCEI Startup Sparring Program
  • Advanced projects can apply for an MCEI Inside the Venture project - you can benefit from a MAN 633 Entrepreneurial Spirit student team helping you out as a taskforce, an INTEGRA pro bono project or write your Bachelor or Master Thesis "Inside the Venture"
  • You can also This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can introduce you to MCEI partners and partner offerings that will help you advance.
  • You have a University of Mannheim background and started your business or introduced the first product or service in the current year? Check whether you meet the criteria and apply for the 10K MCEI Seed Award provided by the Heinrich-Vetter-Stiftung.
  • Get involved in the Q-Summit.
  • Make use of our MCEI DesignLAB as your creative maker space or temporary office. 
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.and pitch in one of our Startup Lounges in Café L3.

4) You have a startup (<5 years) and want to expand your team or need hands-on project support?

  • Contact us (preferably via e-mail) and send us your job or internship offers via e-mail to be included in the Startup Jobs category on the MCEI pages. 
  • Join us in the startup area at the University of Mannheim Career fair to present your Startup Jobs
  • We have dedicated student teams that come to your startup as a task force to e.g. conduct market analyses, develop new pricing models or help you develop your business model. In an MCEI Inside the Venture project you can benefit from a MAN 633 Entrepreneurial Spirit student team helping you out as a taskforce, an INTEGRA pro bono project or write your Master or Bachelor Thesis "Inside the Venture" if you are a University of Mannheim student. 
  • Get involved in the Q-Summit.
  • Make use of our MCEI DesignLAB as your creative maker space or temporary office. 
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.to pitch in one of our Startup Lounges in Café L3.

5) You need information on MCEI Partners and how they can support you or intros?

  • Contact us (preferably via e-mail). In case you need intros, please have your short pitch deck ready (3 to 5 slides).  

 

We are not full-time startup consultants and MCEI works a bit like a startup. Our aim is to be relatively flexible and dynamic while maintaining a high degree of effectiveness in the support we deliver. Make sure to stop by our Success Story section for examples and testimonials. To feel the MCEI startup spirit, you can meet us in our next Startup Lounge

Looking forward to meeting you!!

 

 

The founders of MyMuesli realeased a startup book for the 10th anniversary of their successful company. Its called 'Machen', which is German for 'doing'.   This book is for those who have a dream. A dream they believe in, which keeps them awake at night, makes them happy and frightened at the same time. Maybe you dream that dream longer.…
Tobias Schuele (CEO & Co-Founder of Goodminton) is sharing 8 lessons he learned during his carreer with you in this neat presentation. Check it out and see what you can and should avoid in your pursuit of your business!    To get in contact with Tobias drop him an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sponsors

  • University of Mannheim
  • Institut für Mittelstandsforschung
  • Gründerverbund
  • ESF
  • Europäische Union
  • Baden-Württemberg - Ministerium für Finanzen und Wirtschaft
  • Absolventum